Fumes from a leaking propane tank exploded inside a convenience store near a ski resort, shattering the building into a pile of debris and killing at least four people, authorities said.At least five other people were seriously hurt at the Flat Top Little General Store, where scarcely anything remained after the explosion Tuesday except twisted metal and a sign showing the price of gasoline.
The blast was felt at least a mile (more than a kilometer) away at a store selling skiing gear.
“I thought we got struck by lightning. The whole building shook. The power went off,” said Ben Monast, manager of the Ski Shop.
Authorities said the explosion happened just as a fire truck was pulling into the station in response to a reported gas leak. The fatalities included a paramedic and a retired firefighter who also was a building inspector.
State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis said an above-ground tank of propane was being worked on at the time of the blast. The gas apparently drifted into the business and exploded.
“It is our initial thought that the fumes entered into the building and had to have an ignition point,” Lewis said.
The propane tank and the store’s underground gasoline tanks did not explode, he said.
“Imagine putting off an explosion in your home and when you walked up to your home, the only thing you have left is toothpicks,” Lewis said.
Gov. Joe Manchin met privately with victims’ families at the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department. The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Chemical Safety Board said it was sending a team to assess the site. The board makes safety recommendations to industry, labor groups and regulatory agencies.
The victims’ names were not immediately released.
The gas station was about 70 miles (115 kilometers) southeast of Charleston.